It's

This is the worldwide club for all owners and enthusiasts of Standard Cars

"Dedicated to the preservation of Standard Cars 1903-1963"

The "Vanguard Cadet" on the Club Stand

The Classic Car Show seems to grow each year, this year occupying 4 of the biggest halls at the NEC. We knew that this show was going to be popular by the length of time it took us queuing to get off the M6, the M42, into the car park and onto the shuttle bus. And very busy it proved to be.

To compound our travel misery, the bus dropped us at the far side of the NEC next to halls 16 and 17 etc, with no option of an additional ride to halls 1 to 4. As we weren't interested in the "DIY Folded Paper Poodle and Goldfish Show" or whatever was occupying the higher numbered halls, we were forced into a long walk. That in itself wasn't too bad until we came to a non-moving moving pavement, and as we were carrying heavy spare parts for delivery to the stand we were not best pleased by this point. By the time we reached our Club Stand it was already lunchtime and we were cream-crackered.

At this point we discovered one of the improvements at the NEC this year - that is the opening of far more food and drink concessions including the one that occupied us next - a new branch of Weatherspoons!

Suitably refreshed, we helped man the Club stand, answering questions from the visitors about the cars we had on the stand, selling regalia and trying to persuade new members to part with their cash! Rarely, if ever, have we seen such a busy show. Amongst the many members that visited us it was especially good to meet Bo Legelius a Flying Standard enthusiast from Sweden who had made the journey to the show. Bo is threatening to bring his 1937 Flying 12 Saloon to the International Rally next year, lets hope that he can make it!

The theme of the stand was familiar to us, i.e. 60 years of Vanguards, because of this, so were the cars. Peter Lockley's estate was representing the Phase 1's, Brian Birch brought his Vanguard II, a Sportsman represented the Phase IIIs and to add interest there was a thinly disguised Standard 8, belonging to Mike Wilks, masquerading as an export model Vanguard Cadet. The 8, a sliding window model, is in fact one of the earliest surviving examples.

Sportsman foreground, with the Phase 1A Vanguard Estate rear

Brian Birch had prepared two display boards full of Vanguard memorabilia including photographs of prototypes and these were placed centre stage. I am sorry Brian, but I forgot to take a picture of your car on this occasion! ( he won't be pleased!) The stand also consisted of a marquee to house the regalia sales. ( why, was rain expected? )

I can tell you that your club, working as usual on a minimal budget, put on a fine display. So, the members should thank all the many helpers who set up, broke down and manned the stand over 4 full days. In particular  mention should be made and thanks given to the Club's organisers, Peter Lockley, Mike Wilks and Brian Birch. Well done to you all

Report and Photos by Phil Homer

Click on the following thumbprints to see an enlargement: